News
Int’l Day Against Monoculture Tree Plantation: ERA, Women Demand Environmental Justice
As part of activities to mark this year’s International Day Against Monoculture Tree Plantations, Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, ERA/FoEN, on Monday led some women impacted by industrial plantation expansion in Edo State to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Edo State council, wherein they registered their displeasure against oil palm companies, whom, according to them (women), have subjected them to untold hardship.
International Day Against Monoculture Tree Plantations, is a day for organizations, networks and movements to celebrate resistance and raise their voices to demand, “Stop the Expansion of Monoculture Tree Plantations!.”
The “protest” by the women led by the Executive Director, ERA/FoEN, Barr. Chima Williams, was codenamed Women Led Action Against Deforestation, Land-grabbing and Gender Rights Violations Associated with the Industrial Plantation Model, and was themed: ‘Women Rights are Human Rights. Plantations are not Forests.’
READ ALSO: Oil Palm Companies: RSPO Deceptive, Promotes Communities Rights Violations, Says ERA/FoEN
Speaking, the Executive Director, said ERA/FoEN is committed to protecting the Edo State environments and the rights of the citizens.
While stating that no individual including ERA/FoEN can single handedly do such work, The ED sought partnership from the NUJ and Edo State Government, saying with a collaborative efforts Edo environments and the rights of her citizens would be surely protected.
On her part, Rita Uwaka, Programme Manager, Forest & Biodiversity, ERA/FoEN, lamented the grave impacts of deforestation to the environment, saying “it affects men and women but it has more aggravated impact on women because they continue to be connected to food productions.”
Presenting their petition to the chairman, Edo NUJ, the aggrieved women under the auspices ‘Women Impacted by Industrial Plantation Expansion’, expressed worry over creation of policies and transfer of land without the engagement of women, saying it affects them and those that depend on them.
The petition which was read by Mrs. Gladys Osaghae, to the NUJ chairman on behalf of other women, called on the Edo State Government and the Federal Government to support and invest in communities and women-led solution such as agroecology which, according to them, support food production and local food economy.
The petition reads in part: “Stop new concession agreement that clears out forest at the detriment of women and those that fall under our care.
“Our forest is our life. Support the creation of economic livelihood alternatives for industrial plantation impacted women and their families.
“Enact legislative and regulatory reforms that strengthen women’s rights related to the expansion of industrial plantation.
“Join voices with women around Africa and the world to denounce any violation, abuse, intimidation, harassment and violence against women in the industrial plantation model across all communities territories,” the petition added.
READ ALSO: ERA/FoEN Pushes For Zero Waste Environment
Receiving the petition, the Edo NUJ chairman, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, urged oil palm companies operating in the state to obey labour laws which state that a certain percentage of employment should be given to indigenes of the communities they operate, just as he called on the companies to obey rights of their host communities and stop any form of human rights violations.
Alenkhe, while thanking ERA/FoEN for taking such responsibility, called on other NGOs domiciled in the state to emulate ERA by standing for citizens rights.
Women who came under the auspices to deliver the petition were drawn from host communities such as Odiguetue, Obaretin, Aifesoba and Uroho among others.
News
Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court
The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.
Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.
READ ALSO:Edo NLC Divided Over May Day Celebration
The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.
They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.
The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.
In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: NLC Begins Meeting With ASUU, Other Unions Over Strike
The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.
The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.
According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.
However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.
News
Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru
Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.
Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.
READ ALSO:Film Premiere: Edo In Talks With Embassies To Promote Safe Migration —Agazuma
La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.
The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.
The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.
He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.
News
Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses
The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.
DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.
A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.
READ ALSO:Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies In Nigeria
“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.
“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.
“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.
-
Politics4 days ago2027: Tinubu’s Re-election May Put An End To Nigeria — Baba Ahmed Warns
-
Business4 days agoJUST IN: Nigerian Filling Stations Reduce Fuel Price After Hike
-
Entertainment5 days agoActress Eniola Badmus Gets New Federal Appointment
-
News2 days agoBREAKING: Wike Picks Alabo George For Rivers Governorship
-
News4 days ago2027: Pastor Adeboye Speaks On Nigeria’s Next President
-
Politics4 days agoNDC Speaks On Peter Obi, Kwankwaso Joining Party
-
News3 days agoOPINION: Why South Africans Murder Nigerians In Cold Blood
-
Politics2 days agoJUST IN: Why I left ADC For NDC With Kwankwaso – Peter Obi Opens Up
-
Entertainment4 days agoAgain, Tragedy Hits Nollywood As Another Actress Dies
-
Business2 days agoWhy We Sited Our Multi-Billion Naira Automobile Firm Branch in Benin – Skyewise Group CEO
